Proverbs 16:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

NIV: To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.

NASB: The plans of the heart belong to a person, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

CSB: The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

NLT: We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.

KJV: The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

NKJV: The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

A person can draw up plans the way a military officer arranges soldiers in formation. However, the outcome of those plans is beyond human efforts. It ultimately depends upon the Lord. When someone devotes their heart, mind, soul, and strength to God (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30), God will guide that person's speech and conduct (Matthew 10:19–20). Of course, all persons are free to think what they will, but the future is ultimately in the Lord's hands.

The apostle James counsels us to seek the Lord's will before drawing up our plans. In James 4:13–14 he writes: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." Instead of arrogantly assuming that our plans are invincible, or absolute, we ought to follow the counsel James gives next. He says, "Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.'" (James 4:15)

That doesn't mean it's unwise to plan, at all. It simply means that proper planning includes acknowledging God's sovereign will and our limitations. That even includes the next day's events; we can't be absolutely certain about what will happen then. Proverbs 27:1 tells us, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." A similar sentiment is offered in verse 9 (Proverbs 16:9).

Proverbs 16:1–9 reflects on the heart's intention to make plans and the Lord's rule over that planning. Committing one's ways to God, with reverence, is the wise way to make plans. The Lord has a purpose for everything He created (1 Timothy 4:4). This continues the main section of the book of Proverbs: a compilation of short, general-case statements of wisdom.

This part of Solomon's proverbs emphasizes human motives, self-control, and common sense. Many of these proverbs are arranged in a two-part style. The first and second half of these statements make the same basic point, but from opposite perspectives. Notable verses are verses 9 and 33, speaking of God's sovereignty, and verse 18, a famous warning about arrogance. Also often cited is verse 25, which repeats Proverbs 14:12 and encourages self-reflection.

A lengthy list of Solomon's wise sayings began in chapter 10. Chapter 16 begins a section mostly composed of comparisons and completions. It extends to Proverbs 22:16. Man's thoughts, speech, motives, and conduct are examined in this chapter. The chapter also addresses pride, evil, and injustice.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.